More than 1200 local students in New York City are joining 75,000 students worldwide as they gear up for the 2015 FIRST Robotics Competition, an annual competition that challenges high-school students – working alongside professional mentors – to construct a robot of their own.
The teams will have six weeks to design and build a robot to meet this year’s engineering challenge, and will put their robotic creations to the test against designated challenges at the NYC Regional Competition on March 13-15 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
The 15th Annual NYC FIRST Expo will feature the four FIRST robotics programs: FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST LEGO League, and Jr. FIRST LEGO League administered by NYC FIRST, the local nonprofit affiliate of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) – an international nonprofit that introduces students at various grade levels to the thrill of hands-on robotics, research, teamwork and inquiry-based problem-solving, in order to nurture a lifelong passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines.
“The impact our robotics programs have had on the lives of these students, from the elementary to high school level, is profound,” said Pat Daly, Executive Director of NYC FIRST. “From engineering to problem-solving and team building skills, these teams have worked hard and I am eager to see how this competition season pans out.”
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Through their participation, students experience the excitement of science, engineering, technology, and innovation; build well-rounded life capabilities such as self-confidence, communication, and leadership; and qualify for over $20 million in college scholarships.
Last April, student-made robots invaded the Jacob Javits Convention Center as more than 200 New York tri-state and international teams competed in the 14th Annual NYC FIRST Mega-Celebration. The three-day event culminates with award-winning teams advancing to represent the New York City region at the FIRST World Championship in St. Louis.
